Meet Joseph Golshani of Joseph & Friends Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa

Today we’d like to introduce you to Joseph Golshani.

Joseph, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I was born in Tehran-Iran, on October 1957 in a middle-class family. I came to America two years before the Iranian revolution – 1977- with a suitcase full of dreams (I was 19) and the money for my school fees sewn by my mother in a secret hiding place in my jacket. My first contact with America made a lasting impression on me: the school adviser waiting for me at the airport, helping with the suitcase and holding the car door open as a welcome gesture; this kindness, the warm hearts it’s what defines Americans”. My plan to study engineering at Oglethorpe University came to an abrupt end because with the Iranian Revolution because my family was not able to wire money out of Iran. As the months went by I noticed my hair was getting long and needed a haircut. I walked to a nearby salon and asked for a haircut but when they told me I had to pay $6, a lot more than could afford, I bought a pair of scissors and begun cutting my own hair. Modesty aside, I became so good at it that my school friends started asking him to cut their hair; of course, I gave all of them a good discount :). This paved the way to become what I am today. Cutting people’s hair on “the side” and having built up quite a following made it easier to decide to switch careers when I could not pursue engineering. I enrolled full time in Hairdressing School and the rest is history. I began my career working at a high-end salon in Buckhead called William’s Salon on Pharr Rd. I feel that working with William was a great honor, I learned a lot and was exposed to some of the greatest people in the industry. After winning several industry competitions and establishing myself as a successful stylist the next step was opening my own salon. This is how I opened in 1989, Joseph & Friends, a long time dream of mine: a salon committed to go above and beyond to provide guests with outstanding experiences and continuous, top of the line education for employees. This first Joseph & Friends in Roswell would be the flagship and home base of operations of what would become a successful multiple location operation that has been in business for over 25 years.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
As Marie Curie said: “Life is not easy for any of us, But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something and that things must be attained”. My road, as anyone else, has had a few bumps, but what I can definitely say I HAVE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT. As all salons, we have had our bad years, our employees walk out, resignations etc. When you believe in what you do and when you put your heart and soul into it the outcome is a successful one. I have learned to work on the positive aspect of my business and put all my energy into that. This journey has taught me to lead by example never ask anything of anybody that you are not willing to do yourself; over the years of owning my own business, I have used this philosophy and my managers and co-workers live by it as well. I have also learned to set our goals high, “Think Big”, when you show someone how good they can be, and raise the bar almost everyone will excel. If I had to pick one of the struggles I have faced throughout the years, I guess I would choose motivating and keeping staff as one of the most difficult. It’s a never ending learning process and a very enriching one; building a TEAM can be hard but is immensely rewarding.

Joseph & Friends Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
For over 25 years, Joseph & Friends Salon and Spa has been: ranked among the TOP TEN SALONS IN ATLANTA, one of the FASTEST GROWING SALONS by Salon Today, and has won numerous awards for its cutting edge work and renowned stylists.

Each Joseph & Friends Salon and Spa location is a full-service Aveda concept salon, offering a variety of services including a full spa (at the Holcomb Bridge location), and first class services for cut, color, extensions and any beauty needs. We are a multicultural salon where our stylists complete a rigorous education curriculum before getting on the floor and participate in continuing educational programs every year through the Joseph & Friends Salon and Spa Advance Academy.

Joseph & Friends Salon and Spa always strives to exceed our guest’s expectations in every aspect of their visit. To do so, we offer complimentary upgrades to our guests, complementing their experience with value-added services such as a chair massage, scalp massage, professional consultation and makeup touch-ups. We want each guest, whether they spend an hour or a day, to feel a million miles away.

What really sets us apart is the rigorous training all our stylists go through before they get on the floor (Joseph & Friends Advance Academy) which brings consistency and also ensures that no matter whose chair you sit in, you’ll get the exact same outstanding experience.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
The way I define success is “someone to love, something to do, and something to look forward to”. A successful person must have a healthy balance between their personal and professional life. I am fortunate enough that I have a great family life, a great partner and that is key, My “something to do” is always trying to create an environment in which our employees can achieve their dream and our clients get their best experience; what I look forward to is achieving those personal and professional goals that I set every year and that fill my journey.

As a hairstylist and business owner what I’m looking for is a stylist that can communicate effectively with guests and deliver exactly what they are looking for, being able to deliver an exceptional consultation during which they will also suggest options and alternatives. A successful hairdresser is not only good at his/her craft but is an exceptionally good listener. Once that communication is established, trust is achieved and clients will return and follow their stylist’s advice … from there all the numbers will skyrocket: sales, retention, pre-booking, referrals, etc.
At the end of the day is people what make our brand.

Contact Info:

• Address: Roswell: 1585 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Ste. 240, Roswell GA, 30076
  Sandy Springs: 6309 Roswell Rd. Sandy Springs GA 30328
  Johns Creek: 11720 Medlock Bridge Rd Suite#570 • Duluth, GA 30097
  Milton / Alpharetta: 13057 Hwy 9 North • Milton, GA 30004
  Cumming / Vickery Village: 5735 Clarion St • Cumming, GA 30040
• Website: www.josephandfriends.com
• Phone: (770) 993-0058
• Email: Clients can email us through the website
• Instagram: @josephandfriends
• Facebook: Joseph & Friends Aveda Lifestyle Salon and Spa
• Twitter: @JosephFriends